How to Research Your Family Lineage

It is important for a family to be able to trace its lineage all the way to the different generations of ancestors before them. This will ensure that the family lineage records are preserved and record keeping will be continued for the next generations to come. Furthermore, it is always a good thing to know where you came from and who your ancestors were.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Things You’ll Need:

• Family and relatives
• Close family friends
• Birth records
• Bureau of records and census
• Archive
• Family photos

1. Trace as far back as you can remember from stories told by your parents, grandparents and great grandparents.
2. Gather all information each family members are keeping in their possession. Make several copies and set aside originals for safe keeping and some to be distributed to key members of the family so that there will be several available in case the others are lost due to some unavoidable circumstances like fire, flood or theft.
3. Reconcile the birth records your family has in its possession. Check the family Bible if you have one. Oftentimes marriage and birth records are written there.
4. Search the archives or Bureau of Records of places your family and the generations before you have originated.
5. Interview family members, relatives and close family friends who are familiar with your lineage.
6. Go to your place of origin and further investigate about your family lineage there. Look for old family addresses and talk to neighbors who may know something about your family. You can also go to the local libraries and research your family history.
7. Family pictures may help when investigating or asking around. Make copies of old photos instead of bringing the family album with you when doing your research so as not to lose your original photos that are irreplaceable.
8. Go online to do your research, start by searching for family names. Contact those you think may have any connections to you or your ancestors.
9. Go to companies that provide services to trace your family lineage. Choose those that are accredited and licensed genealogist who will help in researching your family history.
10. Organize family reunions and make sure to invite everyone in your family. Make it a point to attend every time you have been invited. Family reunions can reveal a whole lot about your family lineage so do not skip this occasion whenever it happens.

Tips & Warnings

• Buy software that you can use to track down or trace your family lineage.
• Check with the Better Business Bureau first before enlisting the help of any company that provides services to research your family history.